Deputy Secretary-General's opening remarks to the High-Level Leaders' Roundtable on "Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity" [as prepared for delivery]

I call to order the High-level Leaders’ Roundtable on Upholding the Norms that Safeguard Humanity, at the World Humanitarian Summit. [GAVEL]

Welcome. I am honoured to serve as your Moderator and pleased to be joined by the Co-Chairs of this roundtable: His Excellency Mahamadou Issoufou, President of the Republic of Niger, His Excellency Carlos Raul Morales Moscoso, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, His Excellency Didier Burkhalter, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland,

Let me begin with some brief introductory remarks.

International humanitarian and human rights law are under assault around the world.

Civilians are being deliberately or indiscriminately killed.

Towns are pummelled by airstrikes which destroy vital infrastructure and trigger mass displacement.

Summary executions, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances and torture are daily realities.

Sick and wounded people are denied access to lifesaving assistance.

Lives are shattered by sexual violence.

Violence against medical missions and hospitals has reached crisis levels.

Humanitarian workers are being targeted. 

More than 150 years of achievements to protect the most vulnerable during conflict are unravelling.  The Geneva conventions  seem to have been forgotten.

Today, we must commit to uphold the norms that safeguard humanity.

In particular, I call on you to:

First, promote respect for international law, adhering to the treaties we have all signed up to.

Second, enhance the protection of civilians, including reducing the humanitarian impact of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Third, make sure that populations receive assistance in conflicts.  Countries must allow unimpeded humanitarian access.

Fourth, condemn violations of international law, and take concrete steps to ensure accountability.

This roundtable is a commitment session.  Let me lead by example by concluding with commitments from the United Nations. 

We commit to continue to speak out on violations of international norms, strengthen our Human Rights up Front initiative and seek to ensure that perpetrators are held to account and victims are compensated.

We also recognize that  safeguarding humanity requires safeguarding humanitarians. 

We commit to further enhance the Duty of Care as well as monitoring the health and safety of UN staff and associates serving in high-risk environments.  This is the least we can do for those who courageously stand up for humanitarian values and principles.